Miami coach: 'We’re all in this together’

Next game

OXFORD — Miami University President Dr. David Hodge stood before a couple hundred hockey fans who had gathered early Monday evening, April 5, at Oxford Memorial Park to give the RedHawks an enthusiastic send-off to the Frozen Four.

“What all of us feel and hope,” he said, “is that the last moment of the championship game looks exactly like this.”

Then he raised his arms in triumph.

The top-ranked RedHawks are making their second straight trip to the Frozen Four and will play Boston College on Thursday in the national semifinals at Detroit’s Ford Field.

“You’re champions in our book, we’re proud of you, and we thank you for a great season,” Oxford Mayor Richard Keebler told the players and coaches.

Also on hand was the Miami Hockey Band, which entertained the crowd as dark rain clouds loomed in the west, but it didn’t rain on the festivities.

A good omen, perhaps.

“The past 11 years has been a blast,” Miami coach Enrico Blasi said, referring to his years as head coach on the Oxford campus. “We’re all in this together. I hope you’re enjoying the ride.”

Blasi thanked the fans for their strong vocal support during his team’s 3-2 double-overtime victory over Michigan in the NCAA Midwest Regional final in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“It was a great feeling to beat (the Wolverines),” he said. “I can tell you the war in the stands was won by Miami as well.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.